Harlow 3rd XV 43 Chingford 3rd XV 7

Typical start to a 3rd team Saturday morning, weather the exact opposite to what we're expecting (sunny for those of you that weren't awake on Saturday) and with a team sheet that was, shall we say, um 'fluid'.

Starting with a nice comfy 20 players, we're looking forward to a good game - fast forward to 15 minutes before kick off and we have 12 players looking very lonely on Ashtree field wondering whether Lee Smith might fancy a game in the front row.

Still - we somehow managed to cobble together a team - Phil running on almost as the game started - but we had a team. Thanks to our ref - stepping in at the last moment to

help out.

Absolutely perfect start for the team - excellent play from the forwards turning the ball over with Matt J running it into the corner after 30 seconds from a lightening fast

backs move - with Dazza then missing his only kick of an otherwise perfect first half.

The game continued much in that fashion - with the scrum evenly matched Thames discovered quickly just how deadly the Harlow backs are - a scratch team running some flowing moves with Joe, Matt, Lee and Chris nipping in for tries amongst others. Much credit here to Dazza, deadly precision with the boot converting from the touchline on numerous occasions with yards to spare.

With Harlow beginning to rapidly accelerate in terms of points, the tempers started to flare within the Thames team, their forwards beginning to cook under the pressure of the Harlow scrum. Harlow kept their heads and focussed on the basics - with the forwards providing a consistent platform for the backs to highlight the differences between the sides.

Half time, six tries and five conversations to the good, Harlow lead 40-0 - but cries of "it's still nil nil abound" - we knew we needed every point we could get if we're to close the gap on the top of the league.

Half time led to a number of changes - we were enjoying the game and determined to continue in the same spirit. Thames to their credit emerged for the second half a rejuvenated team.

3 minutes later, another flowing Harlow move unlocked the Thames defence once more - swiftly to be repeated a number of times - Harlow managing the basics very effectively, the forwards in rude health, spoiling and stealing what little ball Thames had at every opportunity - and our backs, tackling ferociously when required and pulling Thames all over the park in offence - with Wardy and Joe demonstrating the art of finding gaps at speed. Credit to our returning full back - two tries on his first game in a very long time.

Whilst it's fair to say that we will certainly face more challenging opposition in this division, this has probably been the most cohesive performance of the Harlow 3rd team all season - with a scratch team that have barely played together - getting the basics right like this on a consistent basis we should certainly be in contention at the end of the season.

Its tough to pick out a man of the match - Wardy and Matt both ran in Hat-tricks, with numerous players grabbing a try or more and it's fair to say that every player both pulled their weight and contributed to the success of the team as a whole. Credit to the entire pack, Phil stepping in as an emergency prop to keep James and Jay company with Kenny and Rob probably the most intimidating second row pairing we've had all season alongside a back row that destroyed the opposition ensuring that Thames were never a threat.

We have a number of games in hand to catch up due to the recent weather - and need every point we can get - so please, get behind the team - come to training and make yourself available for Saturday games on a regular basis and we'll surely have more excellent performances to look forward to.

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